Apple released New updates for operating systems iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2, with a variety of AI-focused improvements. These updates introduce new intelligent tools that enhance creativity and productivity, such as Genmoji, Image Playground, and Image Wand, which will be available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. While some features require AI-compatible devices, most improvements will be available to users across all device versions.
We'll list updates that only work with iPhone 15 Pro and later, some that only work with iPhone 16 and later, and then updates that work with all devices.
Features only for iPhone 15 Pro and later, AI features only work if your device language is English, and the region is America.
Apple Intelligence Expansion
Apple has expanded its AI services, which were previously limited to American English only. Now, it officially supports a variety of English languages from different countries, including: Australian, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand, South African, and British English.
Additional languages will be supported in 2025, in an update expected in April. The new languages will include: Chinese, Indian English, Singaporean English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Visual Intelligence
In the iOS 18.2 update, Apple added a new feature called “Visual Intelligence,” which comes exclusively with the iPhone 16. This feature allows users to easily get instant information about the photos they take, as you can press and hold the camera control button to activate this function.
You can take a picture of anything, whether it’s a restaurant, a painting, or an ad, and visual intelligence will automatically analyze it and provide detailed information about it. If AI services can’t provide enough information, you can use additional search engines like ChatGPT and Google to get more details.
ChatGPT
Apple has recently made it possible to integrate ChatGPT services directly to supported devices. When Apple’s AI service is not delivering the desired result, you can use the ChatGPT extension to get help.
You can use ChatGPT in writing tools and visual intelligence, exclusively on iPhone 16, and via Siri to compose and edit text, create images, and answer inquiries. You do not need to create a special account to benefit from the service, as you can use it for free or subscribe to the paid plan. The free account will provide basic capabilities, while the paid account will give you broader access to advanced and experimental models of ChatGPT.
Image Playground
Apple has launched Image Playground as its latest AI-powered addition to its Messages and Freeform apps, allowing users to create graphics and images with unprecedented ease.
The app relies on on-device machine learning to generate custom graphics and illustrations, where the user can enter a detailed description or choose from suggested concepts, including the faces of their contacts, to create 3D artwork or illustrations without the need for advanced artistic skills.
Genmoji
Genmoji is an innovative tool from Apple that gives users the ability to create completely custom emoji that work like standard emoji or emoji in Messages, Notes, and other supported apps. Users can customize their Genmoji designs with a variety of styles, colors, and effects, ensuring they fit any mood or theme.
Users can view and use these custom emojis even on previous versions like iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, noting that they will appear as regular image attachments on older or non-Apple devices.
Image Wand feature
It is a new AI feature and an extension of the Image Playground app that helps users generate high-quality graphics for their notes within seconds.
Using their finger or Apple Pencil and the Image Wand tool, users can transform sketches into more professional designs. They can also rotate an empty area, where the app will automatically pull descriptions from the surrounding text to create the image. The app allows users to switch between the generated image options between animation, illustrations, or diagrams depending on their needs.
Detailed description of the change in writing tools
With ChatGPT integrated into writing tools For AI, Apple has added a new field called “Describe your change” that allows users to give AI more precise and detailed instructions on how to review, rephrase, or summarize text.
For example, you can now request to change the dictation language from American English to British English, add more life and impact to text, or apply specific edits beyond the default options of the writing tools. This feature gives users more flexibility in controlling the details of text edits.
Shutter in camera control button in two stages
On iPhone 16 models, the camera control button now offers a two-stage shutter function, where users can lock or hold focus and exposure in the Camera app by lightly pressing the control button. When locked or held, a line will appear under the camera control button interface. This feature can be turned on or off in Settings > Camera > Camera Control Button.
Click speed settings to control the camera
On iPhone 16 models, an additional camera control setting is available in Settings > Accessibility > Camera Control for double-tap speed. You can choose between Default, Slow, and Slower.
Screen operation requirement to control the camera
On the iPhone 16 series, the iOS 18.2 update introduces another new option for the camera control button. Under Settings > Display & Brightness, there’s now a “Require Screen On” option. When enabled, this setting ensures that the Camera app or compatible third-party camera apps can only be opened using the camera control button if the phone’s screen is already active.
Features for all iPhone devices
Share item location in Find My
In iOS 18.2, Apple added a new feature to the Find My app that makes it easier to find lost devices like AirTag and Find My accessories. Instead of following the map yourself or waiting for someone to call if they find the device, you can now share tracking information with trusted contacts and airlines.
This feature allows people you've shared your device information with to track its location for you, which is especially useful when you're far from where you lost your device. Apple thus provides a practical solution for dealing with the loss of small, trackable devices.
Sudoku game in Apple News
Apple has added more games for Apple News+ subscribers, with a new Sudoku game now included in the News app, joining existing games like crosswords, mini crosswords, and quartiles.
The gameplay is similar to other Sudoku apps, making it easy for users who are used to apps like Sudoku.com to play. Users can also sort and filter the Sudoku archive to find the right puzzle and preferred difficulty level. Even News+ subscribers can access a collection of free puzzles.
Default Apps List
In iOS 18.2, changing your default browser or email app is easier than ever on iOS and iPadOS, thanks to the addition of a dedicated menu for default app settings. This menu includes default app settings for email, messages, web browsing, and calls, as well as call filtering, passwords, and keys. Users can access this menu from Settings > Apps > Default Apps.
Larger display size in Photos app
Apple has increased the media size of some photos and videos in the Photos app on iPhone. Previously, when you tapped on a video to play it, it wouldn’t stretch to fill the entire screen, leaving space on the sides, and would show the previous and next media underneath. Now, it fills the screen right away, without hiding the playback controls, and shows the previous and next media at the bottom of the video. You’ll also notice that many photos will now stretch fully.
Video detail scrolling in Photos app
When viewing videos in the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad, you can now scroll frame by frame during playback, giving you control over finding the exact frame you’re looking for. When you scroll through a video, you’ll see the time in the exact MM:SS.FF format. For example, 00:04.94 instead of just 00:04.
This is not all, there are still important and exciting features in the iOS 18.2 update that we will mention later in another part. Stay tuned to it so that you can benefit from everything in your iPhone and improve your experience using it.
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